DIY: Start A Citrus Tree From Seed
One of the most memorable plants I’ve ever grown was a Lemon Tree that I grew from a seed. One day I was squeezing a lemon slice into my soda and noticed the seeds. I thought to myself, “If I planted these I wonder if they will grow?” I decided to find out, collected the seeds and planted them. Low and behold…they sprouted! Here is how I did it:
- Remove the seeds from a ripe fruit and rinse the seeds because any sugar left on them can potentially cause a fungus. You can soak the seeds in water for up to 8 hours prior to planting to soften up the outer covering of the seed and help aid in germination.
- Take the seeds and plant them in a small container filled with potting soil. Plant the seeds no deeper than ½ inch below the soil line and water the soil. Slip a plastic bag over the container to maintain the moisture levels and leave it on until the seeds sprout. This could take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.
- Once the seeds have germinated remove the plastic covering and put the container in a sunny window.
- Once the seedlings have several sets of leaves they can be transplanted to a larger container.
Other Growing Tips
- Citrus trees require as much sunlight as possible and they will enjoy being outdoors during the summer months.
- Water the plants twice a week to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Fertilize the plants with a plant food made for citrus plants.
- It is possible for the plant to flower and bear fruit but it will take four to five years to do so.
While I never was able to get the plant to flower or bear fruit it sure made a great conversation piece!
